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Who Needs Stability Books?

Small Commercial Vessels - Unified Code

MGN280 specifies the stability requirements for all vessels operating under the unified SCV code. This document may be downloaded from the MCA website (www.mcga.gov.uk), but in summary the following vessels require stability books

  • All vessels operating in Category 0 or 1
  • Vessels carrying 16 or more persons
  • Vessels carrying more than 1 tonne of cargo
  • Vessels with lifting devices (excluding small davits)
  • Vessel towing objects greater than twice their own displacement
  • Sailing multihulls of greater than 6m
  • Sailing vessels with non-fore and aft rigs (square rigged)
  • Sailing vessels without external ballast keels

Damage Stability information is required for

  • vessels of Category 0 or 1 with 7 or more people on board
  • Vessels carrying 16 or more persons